The spread of heat pumps in Italian companies still faces many obstacles, especially relating to cost, skills and communication, so much so that almost one in two companies has not even considered whether to electrify their production processes. This situation is denounced by research by the CNA, the results of which were presented on 3 November in Bologna during the "Electrify to compete" meeting.
"These data remind us that the energy transition is also measured by the investments that companies actually manage to make. For a micro or small company, choosing a heat pump or electrifying a production phase means dealing with initial costs, payback times and technical constraints that cannot be underestimated", declares Paolo Cavini, president of Cna Emilia-Romagna. “The transition will truly be a competitiveness factor if we are able to make it possible even for the smallest companies." The research is part of a national CNA project dedicated both to plant engineers, with moments of information, training and free practical courses, and to companies, with participation in various events linked to the world of manufacturing such as Cna Network and BeOpen in Brescia and Mecspe in Bologna. Participants then completed questionnaires that provided the basis for the data analysis.
As regards companies, compared to 42% that have not yet evaluated the possibility of electrifying one or more production processes, we have 23% that have already carried out at least one intervention, 14.5% in the preliminary evaluation phase and 9.6% that have suspended or postponed the project. The main problem lies in the cost of the investment, as indicated by 53% of the companies participating in the survey. This is followed by uncertainty about the economic return times, energy costs and difficulty in accessing financing. Adequate knowledge of technology is also necessary, which is currently decidedly lacking among Italian companies: only 13% of them know how to give a correct definition. A challenge can only be responded to adequately by working on training. “The electrification of heat is not just about energy: it concerns the way in which companies organize and develop their production processes,” explains Valentina Di Berardino, national manager of Cna Production. And he continues: "It is important to bring these technologies into industrial decisions, evaluating their applicability on a case-by-case basis and enabling companies to identify the most suitable interventions. The transition can become an opportunity for innovation, but it must start from the real needs of the production system".
Among the companies that have already undertaken this path, the research cites the case of Eurofusione Nironi Srl, a family business from Reggio Emilia specialized in the foundry of die-cast aluminum alloys. “For us, electrification was not just a technological choice, but an investment in the company's ability to compete over time,” says the CEO of Eurofusione, Stefano Nironi. “After the 2008-2009 crisis, with the reduction of margins and the increase in international competition, we understood that, to remain competitive, we had to evolve,” he continues. Investing in innovation and cutting-edge technologies has allowed the company not to passively suffer market changes. "We started by electrifying the machinery and rethinking the production process: together with the manufacturer we developed a solution that allowed us to reduce energy consumption by 70% and increase the productivity of the first plant by 25%. Over the years we have progressively replaced the old hydraulic presses with new electrified models, becoming, in our small way, the first Italian foundry with all the presses electrified". And he concludes by underlining the importance of the Cna's support, especially in identifying financing opportunities.
Among the main areas of application already addressed or taken into consideration are the heating and air conditioning of production environments (55%) and the production of heat for industrial processes (29%). On the other hand, 24% of companies have not yet identified processes or technologies to electrify. “We cannot ask small businesses to invest in more efficient technologies without creating economic conditions that make these investments sustainable,” explains Matteo Reale, president of Cna Milano. "The energy transition must translate into a concrete advantage for those who produce, not add a further element of uncertainty. We need policies that recognize the specificities of SMEs and allow them to plan investments with a medium-long term perspective".
